The Central American Integration System (SICA) at the Dawn of a New Century: Will the Central American Isthmus Finally be able to Achieve Economic and Political Unity?

Authors

Thomas Andrew O'Keefe

Abstract

The purpose of this Article is to examine the current state of the Central American Integration System or SICA (the Spanish acronym by which it is better known) through a discussion of both its achievements as well as deficiencies that, if left unattended, will cause the process to stagnate and eventually collapse. The Article begins with a short overview of the historical underpinnings for the current efforts at both political and economic integration in the region. The Article then explains how the regional economic integration process is actually functioning today. There also is a discussion of the Central American institutional framework. Finally, the Article concludes with an assessment of whether the Central American economic integration system can serve as an effective vehicle for attracting increased foreign direct investment to the region and facilitating its insertion into the global economy.

Recommended Citation

O'Keefe, Thomas Andrew (2001) "The Central American Integration System (SICA) at the Dawn of a New Century: Will the Central American Isthmus Finally be able to Achieve Economic and Political Unity?," Florida Journal of International Law: Vol. 13: Iss. 3, Article 1.
Available at: https://scholarship.law.ufl.edu/fjil/vol13/iss3/1